Fox's O'Reilly: I made wrong claim about march

FILE - This Oct. 13, 2012 file photo shows Fox News commentator and author Bill O'Reilly at the Comedy Central "Night Of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together For Autism Programs" at the Beacon Theatre in New York. OíReilly apologized for incorrectly stating that no Republicans were invited to participate in a ceremony this week marking the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for civil rights and Martin Luther Kingís ìI Have a Dreamî speech. ìThe mistake - entirely on me,î OíReilly said on his show Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invsion/AP, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News Channel’s Bill O’Reilly has apologized for incorrectly stating that no Republicans were invited to participate in a ceremony this week marking the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for civil rights and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

In fact, Republican House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor were invited but did not attend. Former President George W. Bush sent a statement in commemoration. O’Reilly had made the incorrect claim on Wednesday, the day of the ceremony.

“The mistake — entirely on me,” O’Reilly said on his show Thursday. “I simply assumed that since all the speakers were liberal Democrats, Republicans had been excluded. So here’s the tip of the day: Always check out the facts before you make a definitive statement and when you make a mistake, admit it.”

O’Reilly said the Republicans made a mistake, too. He said they should have been there.